This week, ArmorSource announced it used a subcontractor, UNICOR, also called Federal Prison Industries, to manufacture the helmets.

The Newark Advocate reported the helmets were produced between August 2007 and November 2009 at UNICOR's facility in Beaumont. UNICOR employs inmates at federal prisons and has clothing and textiles, electronics and fleet management units in Beaumont, according to UNICOR's website.

Davilyn Walston, a spokeswoman for the Eastern District of Texas, confirmed the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Texas is involved in the investigation. She could not confirm if the helmets were made in Beaumont.

The Army discovered a problem with paint adhesion on the helmets in November, Army Lt. Col. Jimmie Cummings told The Advocate.

"The paint is more of an exterior issue, nothing to do with strength, but it led us to look at other things," Cummings said. "Then the Department of Justice had additional information and additional tests done."

The helmets then failed a test involving being hit by multiple gunshots as a specific angle, according to The Advocate.